is a method of hair removal in which wax is applied over the unwanted hair and then a
is pressed into wax in the direction of the hair growth. Then the
is removed in the opposite direction of the hair growth for removal of the hair.
removes the hair from the roots and hence the re-growth of hair in the removed area takes between 6 to 8 weeks. After hair is removed through
the hair will eventually grow back but it is thinner and sparser in that area. After waxing, men and women are advised to use
to prevent hair growth or to slow down the growth of new hair.
We have all recently learned of a new wax procedure that women have dreamed of, but thought that it was totally impossible. How could we ever do this to ourselves, and who would ever do it for you? The
thongs to the beach. We only thought they were naturally smooth, and we envied them. But now we have learned their secret, and it's spreading worldwide. It's done on your behind, front, and all the Netherlands in between. The
that women have longed for. It gives you the smoothest tush, labia majora, and mons pubis that you can get. It is a lot better than shaving this sensitive area and when the hair grows back it's softer, less stubbly, and less itchy. Some women say it just makes them feel cleaner. Many women request a
because it gives a clean smooth feel, and the freedom to wear even the most revealing swimwear and lingerie.
treatment. For women, the
mainly involves the buttocks, pubic area and just about everything else save for what some describe as a "landing strip" about an inch long just above the vaginal area. For men... you can use your imagination .. and then some. A disposable thong may be offered to you, but most likely, you'll be in the buff. First the hair is snipped with scissors so the wax can reach the follicles. Then, using
, a technician places warm wax on the area to be removed. As with regular
are placed over the hot wax and are pulled away in the opposite direction of the hair growth. If there are any stray hairs after waxing, the technician may also tweeze the area. The key to allowing wax to penetrate into the follicles (and provide the closest possible waxing) is for you to relax. Many women claim the treatment is not nearly as painful as it sounds. After
or shaving, there may be a possibility of little bumps and the area may itch when it starts to grow back. Getting
is also like getting a haircut. You need a few days to get used the sensation. Using
will help relieve bumps, ingrown hairs, redness, or other discomforts resulting from the hair removal procedure.
is and isn't.
there are four types of
bikini waxes
.
The Bikini Wax
- Hair is removed from outside the panty line.
The Brazilian Bikini Wax
- Leaves a vertical stripe in front, two to three fingers in width. Hair is not removed from the labia. Hair is removed from the tush. Hair may be removed from the butt crack if woman wishes.
The Playboy Bikini Wax
- All hair is removed from the labia, all hair is removed from the butt, including the butt crack and only a very narrow "Landing Strip" is left in the front. Named after Playboy magazine because that's what you see on the models in Playboy.
The Full Bikini Wax
- All hair is removed. Everywhere. Everything. Bald.
The Brazilian Bikini Wax
method is currently very popular and is offered in many salons and skincare clinics. If you are considering waxing as a do-it-yourself project, a consultation with a professional is advised beforehand. We strongly recommend doing as much research as possible to determine if this method should be attempted at home. We are not suggesting that a "Playboy Bikini Wax" job can be done on one's own body nor are we recommending that one even attempt this procedure.
While some estheticians still use
soft wax
for hair removal, most are learning about and using
hard wax
. It is said that
hard wax
diminishes pain by 70 percent because it pulls only the hair and not the skin. Some estheticians don't know about the
hard wax
or how to use it. (see below for usage instructions) After waxing, it is recommended that the esthetician use products that prevent ingrown hair and relieves discomfort.
FDA on Bikini
Wax Methods
and More
For do-it-yourselfers, a variety of home-use hair removal products are available over the counter. These include shaving creams, foams, and gels; waxes; chemical depilatories; and electrolysis devices. Professionals at beauty and skin care salons and in dermatologists' offices provide waxing and, electrolysis, and, most recently, laser treatments to remove hair. On April 3, 1995, FDA cleared the first laser for this use.
The cost, safety, effectiveness, and ease of use of the various methods, as well as the area and amount of hair growth to be treated, are some factors to weigh in choosing a method and deciding whether to go to a professional. Often, different methods are better suited for different areas.
FDA's
Office of Cosmetics and Colors in the
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
regulates chemical depilatories, waxes, and shaving creams and gels. (
The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates razors
.) These products, says John E. Bailey Jr., Ph.D., acting director of the office, are classified as cosmetics, defined as substances applied to the body to alter the appearance, promote attractiveness, cleanse, or beautify.
The agency's
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
regulates electrolysis equipment and lasers.
Depilatories: Basic facts
Description:
A chemical that dissolves hair at the skin's surface.
Depilatories act like a chemical razor blade. Available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol, and roll-on forms, they contain a highly alkaline chemical--usually calcium thioglycolate--that dissolves the protein structure of the hair, causing it to separate easily from the skin surface.
Advantages:
Inexpensive, fast, sometimes painless, can be done at home, available almost anywhere.
Disadvantages:
Some consumers find the caustic ingredients may cause skin irritation or even chemical burns. The effect lasts a short time -- anywhere from a few hours to several days. Dark-haired users may have visible "shadow" of dark hair under skin. These products often require usage every two or three days.
Epilatories:
While depilatories remove hair at the skin's surface, "epilatories," such as tweezers and waxes, pluck hairs from below the surface. Waxing and tweezing may be more painful than using a depilatory, but the results are longer lasting. Because the hair is plucked at the root, new growth is not visible for several weeks after treatment.
Tweezing is impractical for large areas, however, because it is such a slow process.
Women mostly use tweezers for shaping eyebrows and removing facial hair.
Epilatory waxes are also available over the counter for home use. They contain combinations of waxes, such as paraffin and beeswax, oils or fats, and a resin that makes the wax adhere to the skin. There are "hot" and "cold" waxes.
With hot waxing, a thin layer of heated wax is applied to the skin in the direction of the hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the wax as it cools and hardens. The wax is then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, taking the uprooted hair with it.
Cold waxes work similarly. Strips pre-coated with wax are pressed on the skin in the direction of the hair growth and pulled off in the opposite direction. The strips come in different sizes for use on the eyebrows, upper lip, chin, and bikini area.
There are several accepted methods of hair removal but many women return to two trusted, tried and true methods when it comes to facial hair - tweezing and
body waxing
. The reason? Probably one of the biggest reasons is a fear of doing some major damage to the face, but there are some other considerations as well. Whether you've tried other methods of hair removal or not, the fact remains that tweezing and
body waxing
have some real advantages.
One of those advantages is that the removal is not permanent. While that may seem like a contradiction, there are actually times when it's a good thing that hair will grow back. Consider the plucking of the eyebrows. While your eyebrows may be bushy and it may very well be a constant battle to stay on top of the situation, you at least have the opportunity to reshape every few months. If you use one of the more permanent methods of hair removal, a misshapen eyebrow may mock you every time you look in the mirror for months. You can also more easily experiment with shaping, deciding what looks best for your face.
Another advantage is that there are no chemicals involved with tweezing and little fear of a chemical reaction with
body waxing
. The person who waxes or tweezes the eyebrows will have a swollen area that is red for a few hours, but there's little or no danger that you'll have a reaction to some chemical in the solution you're using that will leave you with hives, sores or some other reaction.
Finally, a major advantage for some people is the cost of
bikini waxing
and tweezing. A pair of quality tweezers cost only a few dollars and will last for years.
Bikini Waxing
is slightly more expensive but is typically less expensive than many methods of hair removal, especially when talking about the more permanent hair removal methods.
In the end, it's up to your discretion whether to use one of these very traditional methods of hair removal or to try one of the newer methods on the market. Consider the alternatives before you make your decision.
Body Waxing ... Hair Removal: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
How does hair waxing work?
A wax combination is spread thinly over the skin. A cloth strip is pressed on the top and then ripped off with a quick movement removing the wax along with the hair and dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth.
What's the difference between hot waxes and cold waxes?
Good hot waxes melt just above body temperature so they can be easily spread thinly over the skin. As they harden they trap the hair in the wax so it is removed by the roots when the wax is pulled off. Cold waxes are available in precoated strips which can be pressed directly onto the skin. The hair sticks to the wax and is then removed with the quick pull back action. (Cold waxing is also known as Persian waxing)
What is the effect on the skin?
As dead skin cells are removed in this process the skin can feel quite smooth afterwards. The hair waxing action does cause the skin to sting and many find a soothing skin healing cream to be helpful afterwards. Some persons find the skin reacts with redness and bumps which disappear after a few hours.
Are there any health precautions to keep in mind with hair waxing?
Some physicians do not recommend
body waxing
for persons suffering from diabetes or who have varicose veins or poor circulation as they are more susceptible to infection.
Users of Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Accutane are advised not to use
bikini waxing
on the face as these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed.
Bikini waxing
should not be done on areas of skin affected by warts, pimples, moles or rashes or on skin that is irritated, chapped or suffering from sunburn. Never apply
bikini wax
to peeling, broken skin or varicose veins. Never apply
bikini wax
to the nipples when removing hair from the breast area.
On what body areas can Bikini waxing be used?
It is wise to test a small area first but generally
Bikini waxing
can be used on most parts of the body. The exceptions are the male genitals, nipples, inside the ears and nose, eyelashes.
How long before hair reappears?
Generally between 3 and 8 weeks. Less hair re-grows and it is generally finer. Eventually some hair never re-grows.
Recommendation:
To make
bikini waxing
hair removal much easier and less frequent, always apply a hair inhibitor after each
bikini waxing
session.
Bikini Waxing Hair Removal - Tips For Best Results
To avoid the skin appearing darker after
bikini waxing
, be careful not to expose the treated area to the sun for 48 hours after treatment.
Alternatively use a good sun blocker cream on newly treated areas.
Be sure to test a small area of skin first to make sure there is no acute sensitivity or allergic reaction to the process.
Hair should be at least 1/8 inch long. If it isn't wait until it reaches this length.
Be sure to wash the skin thoroughly and dry it well beforehand to remove any lotions or oils which may prevent the wax from adhering closely to the skin.
Heat the wax carefully so as not to overheat and thus burn the skin when applying. Test on a small area first.
The consistency should be soft rather than runny.
If pain and discomfort is a main concern use a pain reducing gel or cream available from
Bikiniwaxing.net
. These solutions should be applied 30 to 60 minutes before waxing so the skin is numbed beforehand.
Apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of the hair growth, preferably holding the
edge treatment applicator
at a 45 degree angle as you spread the wax.
When applying the
cotton muslin strip
over the wax, rub in the same direction as the hair growth leaving about 1/3 of the strip free to allow for a firm grip for a fast back pulling action. Pull the skin taut before pulling the
cotton muslin strip
away.
Pull back with a rapid movement close to the skin.
Do not pull up or out, rather pull back. One fast, smooth, pull back is much more effective than a series of light pulls which only increase the pain and leave patchy areas.
Clean the skin with a warm moist towel afterwards to remove excess wax.
It removes all traces of wax from the skin. It is enriched with aloe vera and essential oils to moisturize as it cleans.
It leaves the skin soft and silky.
Avoid showering and making the hair wet prior to hair waxing. Hair absorbs the water making it soft and less likely to adhere well to the wax. Tough hair is easier to pull off.
Avoid wearing tight clothing over freshly waxed areas to minimize the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.
After 24-48 hours exfoliate the skin (with a Loofa sponge for example) to prevent the dead skin from accumulating in areas that can become ingrown such as the bikini line, upper thighs, underarms and calves.
If acne is a problem, wait until the skin has healed before hair waxing to avoid further irritating this sensitive condition.
Extra Tips For Facial Hair
For facial hair use wax at a lower temperature than the rest of the body.
Use one hand to hold the skin taught.
Spread the wax very thinly using
edge treatment applicators.
.
Only treat small areas at a time.
Recommendation:
To make waxing hair removal much easier and less frequent, always apply a
hair inhibitor
after each waxing session.
Prevent Ingrown Hairs When Shaving Or Waxing
When Shaving...
Shave after the hair has been wet for at least 5 minutes. Hair that is wet and full of moisture can be cut easily. Hair that is not well saturated can be very strong and tough. As the razor passes over, the hair is pulled up from the follicle. After it is cut it retracts below the skin surface with the resultant risk of it growing into surrounding tissue.
Shave in the direction of the hair growth. Cutting with the grain not against it will prevent hair being cut too short.
Prevent ingrown hairs by avoiding repeat strokes over the same area. Repeated strokes can also result in hair being cut too short.
Shave with the skin in a relaxed condition. Do not stretch the skin too taught. A little pressure may be necessary but excessive stretching can again result in hair being cut too short.
Use Tea Tree Oil twice a day in conjunction with a loofah bath or shower. Tea Tree Oil has a bacterial ability to kill infection and prevent pustules forming. (Avoid the eye area)
When Waxing...
To pull out the hair cleanly without breaking it follow these recommendations: Apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of the hair growth, preferably holding the
edge treatment applicator
at a 45 degree angle as you spread the wax.
When applying the
cotton muslin strip
over the wax, rub in the same direction as the hair growth leaving about 1/3 of the strip free to allow for a firm grip for a fast back pulling action.
Pull the skin taut before pulling the cotton strip away.
Pull back with a rapid movement close to the skin.
Do not pull up or out, rather pull back.
One fast, smooth, pull back is much more effective than a series of light pulls which only increase the pain and leave patchy areas.
After 24-48 hours exfoliate the skin (with a Loofa sponge for example) to prevent the dead skin from accumulating in areas that can become ingrown such as the bikini line, upper thighs, underarms and calves.
Prevent ingrown hairs by not wearing tight clothing over freshly waxed areas to minimize the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs.
Recommendation:
Prevent and/or eliminate discomforts resulting from any type of hair removal use
bikini soothing cream.
It is a topical analgesic cream that relieves bumps, ingrown hairs, redness, or other discomforts resulting from any type of hair removal procedure. The rich emollients and tropical oils in bikini soothing cream soothes and moisturizes the freshly treated skin. Bikini Soothing Cream also removes wax residue leaving skin clean, smooth, and silky.
Labeling of over-the-counter waxes cautions that these products should not be used by people with diabetes and circulatory problems, who are particularly susceptible to infection.
Body Waxing
--and tweezing as well--can leave the skin sore and open to infection.
Body Waxing
should not be used over varicose veins, moles, or warts. They should not be used on the eyelashes, inside the nose or ears, on the nipples or genital areas, or on irritated, chapped, sunburned, or cut skin. A small area should be tested for sensitivity or allergic reaction before
Body Waxing
the entire area. Some hair removal experts recommend professional
Body waxing
for the best results.
[Source]
Hasten to Help You
And are there any other natural supplements that one can at least try first, before undergoing all those unpleasant procedures?
